Prehensile-tailed Skink

The Prehensile tailed(PT) skink has many adaptations to discuss with visitors about their arboreal lifestyle. However, some individuals might have aggressive tendencies around their enclosure or breeding season. Presenting them on a perch can minimize those interactions. Limited breeding in captivity can impact availability of ambassadors.

Radiated Tortoise

Astrochelys radiata Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Radiated tortoises are the closest living relative of the Ploughshare tortoises, the most endangered tortoises in the world. Overview This striking species gives the perfect opportunity to talk about the unique biodiversity of Madagascar and the plight of endangered species across the globe. Radiated tortoises are personable and allow…

Leopard Tortoise

Stigmochelys pardalis Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Natural History Information Longevity Leopard tortoises live between 50 and 100 years in the wild. Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Life Cycle Natural History Relevant Information Leopard tortoises readily drink standing water. A shallow water dish may be provided, but check it daily, and clean it as required. The size…

Chuckwalla, Common

Chuckwalla are commonly used as ambassador animals in zoos. They are a hardy, generally docile and food-motivated lizard. As juveniles they may exhibit more active behavior during handling, but calm quickly with consistent handling. With their high food motivation as well as alert and curious demeanor, they are a great candidate for training and have been taught to station and target. Their unique physiological adaptations for their environment give an excellent educational topic in addition to some implications for their care. A desert species, they need low humidity and high heat/UV access in their habitat. Overall a versatile, excellent species for consideration as an animal ambassador.

Groundhog

Marmota monax Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae The name of the order “Rodentia” comes from the Latin word “rodere”, which means “to gnaw”. Groundhogs are part of the marmot group within Sciuridae, and are the largest members of the ground squirrel family. Also known as a woodchuck Overview Groundhogs can be a wonderful addition to an…

Ducks

Anas sp.Order: Family: Note relevant information about latin name, close relatives, etc. Recommended Species Buffalo Zoo: We use call ducks. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore: We are partial to Indian Runners. Natural Science Center of Greensboro: We use runner ducks. Interesting body type, many colors, trainable to recall/follow. Tracy Aviary: We’ve had white-faced whistling ducks in…

Two-toed Sloth

Choloepus didactylus or Choloepus hoffmanni Order: Pilosa Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Needs branches to hang from. Needs to be able to access the ground via a branch or enclosure side to defecate. For easier husbandry, place the tree branch to the ground on top of a litter box. Can use aspen shavings for litter.Also needs…

Domestic Goat

Capra hircus Order: Artiodactyla Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Due to a well-developed herding instinct, goats prefer to be kept in groups of 2 or more. Diet Requirements In the wild, goats require grass for grazing. Veterinary Concerns Because they are a domestic species, the veterinary care of goats is a well documented field. Please see…

Domestic Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus Order: Lagomorpha Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Rabbit hutches are a traditional way to house rabbits but make sure that if you are housing in hutches that you provide a place to get off of mesh (shelf or solid section of flooring) and provide a weather resistant nestbox or area of the hutch that…

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Cynomys ludovicianus Order: Rodentia Husbandry Information Housing Requirements Diet Requirements Veterinary Concerns Notes on Enrichment & Training Prairie dogs, like all rodents, are chewers. Their almost constant chewing is what keeps their incisor teeth from growing too long. Lots of chewable enrichment items such as paper (phone books are great!), cardboard, wood, and hay should…